Ervin R. Wutzke, age 89, of Elgin, ND passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center in Elgin.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am MT on Friday, January 15, 2016 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin with Pastor Sam Biebert officiating. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery with full military honors afforded by the George W. Snook American Legion Post #246 of Elgin.

A GATHERING OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY WILL BE HELD AT 7:00pm MT ON THURSDAY EVENING AT IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN ELGIN.

Serving as Casketbearers are Ervin's grandsons, Jerry Hintz, Wayne Hintz, Brent Hintz, Justin Wutzke, Clarence Laub III, Chad Burrer, Cody Wutzke, and Colton Wutzke. Honorary Casketbearers include his granddaughters, Roxanne Voegele, Stacy Neumiller, Shauna Bergquist, Jenney Schatz, Jane Kozlowski, Jess Gappert, Jodi Burrer, Kara Winkler, Hannah Wutzke and Nora Meek, and all those who have served in our Armed Forces.


ERVIN R. WUTZKE was born south of Elgin on October 8, 1926 to Christ and Paulina (Martell) Wutzke. He grew up on the Wutzke family farm and received his elementary education in the rural country school. Ervin was inducted into the US Army on March 9, 1945 at Fort Snelling, MN. He served during WWII in the Pacific Theater in Japan and was honorably discharged on November 23, 1946 at Fort Lewis, WA. He served as Past Commander of the George W. Snook American Legion Post #246 and was a member for 67 years.


He was engaged in farming south of Elgin and was united in marriage to Gladys Friesz on October 18, 1950. Ervin and Gladys raised all their children on the farm. To work was always in Ervin's blood. Ervin continued to farm right up until his death, hauling anhydrous for Clarence last spring and helping Paul out at the shop. He loved helping Wanda and Dennis on their farm in Wing with spring planting and the fall harvest.

He worked at the True Value in Elgin for many years and also at Stelter Repair in New Leipzig. Ervin, along with Clarence Stelter, designed what is commonly known as the Stelter Meat Saw. He owned and operated Wutzke Truckline for over 25 years. Ervin was a member of the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin. He helped build the church building and served on the Church Council for many years. Ervin also served on the Township and School Board. His hobbies included playing cards, putting together puzzles and doing word search.

Ervin is survived by his wife Gladys; his six children, Barbara (Raymond) Hintz, Carson, ND; Linda Hintz, Bismarck, ND; Sandra (Clarence) Laub, Elgin, ND; Paul (Belinda) Wutzke, Elgin; Wanda (Dennis) Burrer, Wing, ND; Dennis Wutzke (Jeni Wutzke), Barrett, MN; 18 grandchildren, Jerry (Terisina), Wayne (Becky), Roxanne (Corey), Brent (Sherry), Stacy (Mitch), Justin (Kelly), Shauna (Travis), Jenney (Jason), Jane (A.J.), Jess (Chad), Clarence III (Ashley), Jodi, Chad (Shantel), Kara (Austin), Cody, Colton, Hannah, Nora; 24 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; sister, Violet Veitz, Bismarck, ND; and sister-in-law, Leona Wutzke, Bismarck, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Elsie; brother, Elmor; and brother-in-law Walter Veitz.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 1:00 – 6:00 pm MT at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.